More Hip Than Hippie #249 - Birdwatching 101

Birdwatching, or birding, is the biggest sport in America.

According to US Fish and Wildlife Service, there are currently 51.3 million birders in the United States alone. You wanted to know more about birdwatching basics, so the Hipsters asked an expert. Birding enthusiast Scott Huber gamely answers your questions about binoculars, feeders, guide books and more. Also, Val inspires Dori to coin a new term: pine face!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener, Jessica, sent along 3 fine Scottish ales from Williams Bros. Brewing: Alba, Grozet and Fraoch. The more you drink, the more fun they are to say!

Chocolate: Far from Scotland, coconuts grow, and we are thankful. Seeds of Change Organic Dark Chocolate with Coconut is change we can believe in.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• What's not to yike? City dwellers can achieve urban freedom with the electric YikeBike, which is due to hit the market in Europe and New Zealand this year. It's like a unicycle for the Jetsons.
• Fir real? Christmas in SoCal just got a little greener. Rent a living tree for the holidays, delivered to your home and picked up when the fun's over. Living Christmas also has an eco-holiday store; check out the Yeti ornaments.

Hip News

• Gung hay cheap crap. Hey parents, don't buy cheap Chinese-made toys for your kids! This public safety message is courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Wheels of fortune. Lady Luck has smiled upon Ford Motor Co. Their Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect were named 2010 Car and Truck of the Year in Detroit; now they've announced plans to build lithium ion batteries in Michigan. Meanwhile, Toyota unveils the FT-CH hybrid concept car.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Feather your hair! Scott suggests collecting the hair from your brushes (including pet hair) and saving it until springtime. Once the weather clears a bit, toss those tresses into the yard for birds, who'll happily use it to build their nests.

 

Birdwatching 101

You wanted to know more about birdwatching, so we asked an expert! Birding enthusiast Scott Huber gamely answers your questions about binoculars, feeders, guide books and more. He also explains the difference between a birder and a twitcher. Thanks for all the questions on our Facebook page!

• Who is Scott Huber? He's the Education Director for Altacal Audubon and a board member with Audubon California.
• What is that bird? Consult a trusty field guide like or Kenn Kaufman. For kids, start with the Golden Guide.
• When should you start birding? Now! Attend a local bird festival to find experts and info.
• Where can you birdwatch? Anywhere, with a pair of binoculars or an app like iBird or birdJam.
• How can you attract birds to your yard? With a fantastic birdhouse and birdbath.
• Why support the Audubon Society? So future generations will have birds to watch.

 

Listener E-mails

You are the wind beneath our wings! Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and bird droppings at our MHTH forum!

 

• Shayna in Idaho reminds us to wash those reusable bags regularly. Bad things grow in there.
• Jessica in Pittsburgh can't stand it when people say cold weather disproves global warming. Memorize this article, or just steer clear of the topic. We feel your pain.
• Jenny in Canada (eh!) is allergic to onions and can't find an organic soup that doesn't have them. Make your own Tomato Soup or Chicken Soup, and hold the onions!

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